The title of this website comes from the design motto of the great architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who through his minimalist design principles focused on the building frame, creating a transparent exterior skin and eliminated interior walls to create vast, open spaces that would allow for the seamless integration of exterior settings with interior spaces. This blog is an attempt to do the same with my life.

Some of you have known me long enough to remember when I wore a red #44 jersey and ran onto the football field for the Edgerton Crimson Tide. I think a part of me died after my last high school football game.

So when I got the chance to talk football and faith with Northwestern football players – let’s say it was kinda fun.

Matt is dating one of our student leaders in Greek IV, and started coming to some of our events to be with her last year.

This year, he is a senior and the fullback for the Northwestern University football team (you know, the one that upset then #4 ranked Iowa and is headed to a bowl game?)

I had some open time in my schedule this fall, and there was something I sensed in Matt that was special – so I took a chance and invited him to meet with me. I did what I do often with students – walk them through Scripture, particularly Jesus’ call to his disciples to listen and obey working through Luke 8-11.

One of my greatest joys in staff is helping students become what they never thought they could. In my first meeting with Matt, I told him I’d like him to consider bringing a friend or two from the team that he would learn to help them grow spiritually as I’m helping him grow.

He said, “I don’t know if that will happen.”

I told him, “Well, let’s pray Matt. My job is to help you follow Jesus and to help you help others follow Jesus. I’m your fullback – I’m your lead blocker and pave the way for you to do what Jesus did. Got it?”

Matt got it indeed. He has been very coachable this fall – and clearly understands that to be a disciple of Jesus isn’t just about hearing the word; it’s also about doing it.

One night, Matt was invited to give his testimony in front of a host of athletes at the local FCA meeting on campus. After Matt shared his story on how he found Christ after feeding other addictions in his life, a student leader invited others to make a decision for Christ that night. The Kingdom of God had come near in that room through Matt as students went forward to pray and confess their sins and receive Christ.

Matt himself prayed with several students that night, and a guy in the locker room came up to him the next day. At least two folks made decisions for Christ. Matt was praying with them, doing something he didn’t know was possible.

As I left that night, Matt and I man-hugged and he looked me in the eye and said, “Your my fullback, Andy.”

Coming from Matt, that’s a huge compliment.

Thanks for your support to help me pave the way for students to lead their friends into the Kingdom.